Death of Capt. Gere.

Capt. Thomas Parke Gere whose death is announced from Chicago where he had lived during recent years, had a secure place in the affections of the older residents of Sioux City.  He was a native of New York, but was a westerner the most of his life.  The family settled in Minnesota in 1852, and it was from that state, at the age of 19, he was mustered as a private soldier in Company B, Fifth regiment of Minnesota volunteers.  He remained in the service until April, 1865, being at the time of his discharge brigade adjutant.  He became engaged in railroad construction, and in May 1867, he was made assistant engineer with the St. Paul and Sioux city company, and later was made chief engineer; and he served both here and at St. Paul as division superintendent.  In 1883 he retired from the railroad service, entered into a partnership with R. D. Hubbell, of Mankato, and built and managed the linseed oil works in Sioux City.  During his active days he was prominent in many enterprises.  In 1891 he was president of the Sioux City and Northern company, the line constructed being now a part of the Great Northern system, and he was a member of the board of directors of the Corn Exchange National bank.  He suffered in the panic of 1893, and soon after his health became precarious.  But he was a brave fighter to the end.  He was a gracious and helpful man, a gentleman of rare quality, resourceful in business and genial in all his relations.  He was a splendid citizen, cooperative and willing and capable of doing things in exceptional degree.  He was 69 years of age on the 10th of September.

— Published in the Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa, Wednesday, January 10, 1912, p. 6